2014 - Year in Review

Happy New Year Readers.

I've been dormant and just lazy to write on the Blog.
As mentioned I'm active on Instagram   or Twitter.

Here are my top picks for Toronto cafe (in no particular order)

EAST END
Mercury Espresso
Te Aro
Bud's Espresso

CENTRAL / Queen West
SJCB (Harbord Location)
Manic *Best Muffins ever*
Early Bird
Dark Horse (Queen West)

CENTRAL - UPTOWN *North of Bloor*
Boxcar Social
De Mello

WEST END
Propeller (Roastery and Cafe)
Capital Espresso
Lit (Roncy)
Good Neighbour

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What else happened in 2014?

Tried coffee from over 40 different roasteries
(Most memorable outside of GTA: Koppi, George Howell, Tim Wendelboe, Sightglass and Transcend)
(Memorable Toronto roaster:  Propeller - YirgZ, Pilot (Mercedes Geisha). Cut Coffee (Kenyan)

Current GO-TO brew device: Aeropress

Worked on my own interpretation of Blue Bottle NOLA-Style Cold Brew Coffee for CityGourmet.ca

Reached 1k followers on Instagram, then quickly lost it.

Didn't buy any new brewing equipment, which surprised me... but 2015 looks to be exciting
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I'll try and write more, but let's see how my schedule plays out.
Thanks for continuing to follow my journey thru coffee.
Hopefully I'll put more energy into revamping the site (REAL SOON).

xo
Espresso Adventures

M4: Classic

Bring back my love for Manic coffee muffins by sharing my latest experience.

Spotted; Classic espresso
Manic Coffee

"Reaction: that's some amazing shot, rich mouthfeel, floral, but chocolately. Great finish"

I suspect a ristretto.
Really enjoyed it

Featured Espresso: 1 UP

Spotted: Manic Coffee
Roasters: Wrecking Ball
Located: Palo Alto, CA

THANKS Matt for having this in the hopper

Featured coffee: Anjilanka, Bolivia

Spotted: Manic Coffee
Coffee: Anjilanka, Bolivia
Farmer: Juan Ticona / Ocho Estrellas
Region: Caranavi, Las Yungas
Harvested: Apr-Jun 2012.
Roaster: Intelligenstia
Location: Chicago, IL

Method: Clover!

Verdict: Great Balance of sweetness, and slight hints of acids. Really easy to drink

Definitely going to grab a bag.

8: Manic Coffee

Manic Coffee
426 College Street
Neighbourhood: College Street.
(website)

Manic is my go-to shop when I'm around the area. Not only did they continue their gelato program, but finished their redesign to be more efficient. Swinging the bar from the front to the side definitely made the endless lines-up more bareable.
Mind you, there is more seating, or is this my own illusion... 

They continue to pull the best Intelligenstia in Toronto, and their no wifi policy makes it a great spot to stay just for the coffee. Not only do they showcase artwork on the walls, their logo is kick-ass

Couple of staff changes, and the pending installation of the Clover, signals that Matt and his team continue to excel in the Toronto scene.

M^4: New Renos

New Renos have been completed at Manic.
(stay tuned for updates and photos of the new space)

Matt and his team have worked very hard, and I've been a bad patron.
There will be photos up within the next week.
(Still working on the Fratello piece and the rest of the Grumpy and Handsome reviews)

For now, know that Espresso Adventures is working hard. Working on some exciting news that needs to be finalized within the next month. On top of the weekly entries, Summer time has been eating itself away, and its' almost FALL....

Enjoy the other blogrolls --> and drop me a line on Twitter for more quick updates.
@esprsoadventures

Monday Morning Manic Muffins

Monday Morning Manic Muffins

This will be my warp-up from the past week to highlight news and comments for all things coffee.

I must admit, I used to go to Manic Coffee every Monday morning - post run. Where we'd catch up from the weekend and start our weeks off with a good rundown/layout of events ahead.
Manic became our "go-to" spot in the neighbourhood - a meeting place where we'd bump into friends more often than not.
But that ritual has not happened since last year, and i find myself on assignment around the city.... Mondays are a mental shake-up for me, where I adjust my week and prioritize projects.... to help me with this, I use the morning to review what I did over the previous week. Successes, disappointments, improvements... and outlooks.

Coffee Cupping with Social /Manic Coffee

Manic Coffee

Address: 294 College Street

Neighbourhood: Little Italy/College&Bathurst area

Social Coffee Company

Address: 55 West Beaver Creek Rd. unit 45

Located: Richmond Hill, Ontario

This past weekend, Social Coffee Co held a special cupping session at Manic. The quickest and most trusted source: Twitter informed me that @Socialcoffeeco would be heading down for 4PM amd it only seemed like a no-brainer to get in on this action.

The weather was amazing this past weekend, so that meant pumping up the tires and go for a spin, to warm up the mind, body and soul.... or just my tastebuds for what would be a great experience.